Versatile tractor side blade mount

Abstract

A tractor side blade mount includes a control member, a blade holding bracket, a blade, a joint member for mounting the blade on the blade holding bracket, and a pair of hydraulically actuated arms for independently positioning the control member and the bracket. As a result of selected positioning of the control member and the bracket, the blade, which is mounted at one end of the bracket, may take up various angles, heights and lateral displacements with respect to the body of the tractor. The versatility in the movement of the blade results in an increased capability to grade earth, scrape dirt, or dig trenches alongside structures and in areas which would otherwise be out of reach of a conventionally equipped tractor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A versatile tractor side blade mount system for use with a tractor comprising: a control member including means for pivotally mounting said member on at least one side of said tractor;   a grading blade;   a blade holding bracket pivotally mounted on said control member;   joint member means for mounting said blade at an adjustably predetermined angle on said bracket;   means for rotating said blade holding bracket about its axis of rotation with respect to said control member;   means for rotating said control member about its axis of rotation with respect to the tractor;   the axis of rotation of said control member involving said means for pivotally mounting said control member being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said bracket with both of these axes extending in a predetermined direction, and said axes of rotation being spaced apart by a predetermined distance;   the distance between the axis of rotation of said bracket and said joint means being of the same order of magnitude as said predetermined distance; and   said control member having a significantly greater extent in the direction parallel to said predetermined direction than in the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by said two axes of rotation; and said bracket having a significantly greater extent in the direction parallel to said axes of rotation than in the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the axis of rotation of said bracket and the point of securing said joint member means to said bracket;   whereby said control member and said blade holding bracket may be rotated about their axes of rotation, and position said blade at a wide spectrum of angles, heights with respect to the tractor, and lateral distances from the body of the tractor.   
     
     
       2. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said control member and bracket rotate in substantially the same plane. 
     
     
       3. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said joint member means is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said bracket. 
     
     
       4. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said blade extends substantially parallel to said bracket. 
     
     
       5. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein the axes of rotation of said bracket and said control member are both substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and to the longitudinal axis of the tractor. 
     
     
       6. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said joint member means includes mounting means for mounting said blade on said bracket at various angles with respect to said bracket. 
     
     
       7. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 6 wherein said mounting means for mounting said joint member means on said bracket includes several openings, and locking means for extending through one of said openings to hold said blade at the desired angle. 
     
     
       8. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said control member includes a hydraulic piston. 
     
     
       9. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said bracket includes a hydraulic piston. 
     
     
       10. A versatile blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said control member and said means for rotating said bracket are located in a substantially vertical plane. 
     
     
       11. A versatile tractor side blade mount system as defined in claim 1 wherein said control member is rectangular in configuration and said bracket is substantially triangular. 
     
     
       12. A system as defined in claim 1 including a tractor having a frame and further comprising reinforcing means for strengthening the frame of the tractor adjacent the location where said control member is mounted to said tractor. 
     
     
       13. A versatile tractor side blade mount system for use with a tractor comprising: a control member including means for pivotally mounting said member on at least one side of said tractor;   a grading blade;   a blade holding bracket pivotally mounted on said control member;   joint member means for mounting said blade at an adjustably predetermined angle on said bracket;   means for rotating said blade holding bracket about its axis of rotation with respect to said control member;   means for rotating said control member about its axis of rotation with respect to the tractor; and   said control member being rectangular in configuration and said bracket being substantially triangular,   whereby said control member and said blade holding bracket rotate about their axis of rotation, and position said blade at a wide spectrum of angles, heights with respect to said tractor, and lateral distances from the body of said tractor.   
     
     
       14. A versatile tractor side blade mount system for use with a tractor comprising: a control member including means for rotatably mounting said member on at least one side of said tractor;   a grading blade;   a blade holding bracket pivotally mounted on said control member;   joint member means for mounting said blade at an adjustable predetermined angle on said bracket;   means for rotating said blade holding bracket about its axis of rotation with respect to said control member;   means for rotating said control member about its axis of rotation with respect to the tractor   said control member and bracket rotating in substantially the same plane of motion;   said joint member means being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said bracket;   the edge of said blade being substantially parallel to said bracket; and   said control member being rectangular in configuration and said bracket being substantially triangular,   whereby said control member and said bracket rotate about their axis of rotation, and position said blade at a wide spectrum of angles, heights with respect to the tractor, and lateral distances from the tractor.